Thanksgiving 2011 & Christmas decorating

Thanksgiving 2011. I was fully aware that when we knew we were moving to Kentucky that holidays would no longer hold the exact same traditions and routines as they had in years past.

I did not know how the holidays would go or feel, but one thing I knew and cherished was that Craig, the kids and I would be together! Since having kids, the past 6 years have been set in stone with Thanksgiving- noon lunch at my parents and dinner in Jordan at Craig's parents. Both places we would spend visiting with parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, watching the cousins play, eating great food, making great memories, and just being together with family. It was all I knew to live 15 to 20 minutes from everyone on both sides. I had always heard or knew of others who had family hours away or states away, but that was foreign to me. 2011 brought me to that reality of being the family members states away. What I am most thankful for this year is that Craig, Caleb, Ava and I have been so strong, positive, happy, thriving, adaptive, and healthy in this move. This Thanksgiving was full of great food, memories, new traditions, and love.

Our next door neighbors invited us to join them for Thanksgiving along with their kids, and relatives. I had told Kelly how I always made the pumpkin pies in MN every year, and that was what I did this year making 3 pumpkin pies with home made whip cream, along with other contributions to the meal. Kelly and Aaron had a full out menu with every traditional dish you could think of pretty much made from scratch. Their were 2 turkeys. Wednesday night, Kelly and I brined the one (and duct taped the lid shut- we all got a laugh out of our interesting technique;)), and kept it in our fridge overnight. The next day Caleb and Ava played all day with the kids at Aaron and Kelly's, while us ladies cooked away for several hours. After a wonderful meal and good company we headed back to our house to settle in for the evening. Caleb finished coloring the turkey that I had printed off the internet that morning when I realized the Kentucky Newspaper does not provide a big turkey to color like the Star Tribune. And then it was off to bed.

On Saturday, Craig and I had our first date out just the two of us since we moved to Kentucky and since Craig was in training over the summer. Kelly and Aaron next door had offered to watch our kids so we could go to dinner, xmas shop, and just be together the two of us. This was a first in that, we always only had grandma's and grandpa's or aunt's and uncles watch Caleb and Ava as we lived so close to everyone in MN that we never even had to think about looking for a babysitter outside of family. The kids had a blast playing with Kelly and Aaron's kids while Craig and I had our date out:)

Sunday was Christmas decorating day! Same decorations from the years past, but a different house to decorate than the past 10 years in Savage on Louisiana Ave. Caleb and Ava had soooo much fun decorating! One of my favorite things each Xmas is to watch Caleb and Ava decorate the tree and how they cluster the ornaments on the bottom areas of the tree:) I leave their work just as they do it. Last year was quite the cute clustering on the tree, however this year (they did it all on their own without Craig or I telling them where to put decorations) they spread the decorations out on the tree really well! Caleb found the perfect new spot for our big Frosty the Snowman who always sat on the stair well landing going up the stairs at our MN house. Caleb was adamant that Frosty had a great place to sit here in his new home. His new spot here in KY is in the living room in a corner by the window and entertainment center. Our tree fit perfectly by the front window and door. And the fireplace here took on the holly berry, stockings and nativity set beautifully just as our fireplace in MN did. After a fun day of decorating, we ate our own Thanksgiving meal for just the 4 of us. A seasoned Turkey Breast that had cooked in the oven for a few hours while we decorated, along with gravy, warm bread, vegetables, bake potatoes, and left over Pumpkin Pie.

I am so very thankful on this Thanksgiving 2011:)